Section 206: Liability of master, etc where vessel used in commission of offence
530.Section 3 of the Act is amended to provide that, where a fishing boat is used in the commission of an offence under section 3(3), the master, owner and charterer (if any) of the boat are each guilty of an offence. Section 22 is also amended by this section to introduce a definition for the term “master” in line with that in the Sea Fish (Conservation) Act 1967 and the Fisheries Act 1981.
531.The amendments establish that masters, etc. of vessels who are licence holders may be found guilty of offences which take place from their vessels, with the possibility that their licence may be cancelled. The amendments extend to England and Wales only.